A man has appeared in court after hitting his 96-year-old mother over the head with a rolled up magazine at the hairdressers.

It came after Andrew John Fielding, aged 68, his mother’s primary carer, disagreed with her over how much hair should be taken off.

Staff at Scissors hairdressers at Village Walk in Onchan called the police to raise their concerns.

Prosecutor Michael Jelski said referrals had been made regarding safeguarding concerns for Mrs Fielding.

Fielding, of Hutchinson Square, Douglas, admitted the offence and will be sentenced on July 24 after a probation report has been completed. Mr Jelski told the court police were called to the hairdressers on June 11 at 10.40am.

He said Fielding picked up a magazine and hit his mother on the side of the head after they disagreed over how much hair should be taken off. As his mother sat in the barber’s chair Fielding again said she would have it cut short and ripped hair clips out of her hair.

He was then said to have grabbed her arm and twisted it, saying: ’Wait till you get home,’ before leaving the shop. Another witness said they heard Fielding say: ’Cut it all off, shave it off if you like.’

Fielding told police the incident had been ’blown out of all proportion’.

He admitted he and his mother had disagreed over whether her hair should be short and said she ’winds him up’. He denied twisting her arm.

A charge of common assault was withdrawn after Fielding’s mother did not wish to make a complaint.

Advocate Stephen Wood said: ’There is no evidence of any injuries. The court might be thinking here is a man who is very overbearing to his mother. Their relationship is unusual.’

Bail was granted.